Introduction
Can Sulcata Tortoises Eat Watermelon? In its most basic form, watermelon comprises carbs, water, protein, sugar, fiber, and fat; it is a huge, juicy fruit filled with nutrients and provides citrulline and lycopene, which are vital plant chemicals. Only sugar is toxic to tortoises, as fiber aids digestion, fat stores nutrients while the tortoise sleeps, and water satisfies the animal’s thirst.
Most of a tortoise’s vitamin and mineral requirements can be met by eating plant-based foods in the wild. Tortoises require fresh produce as a supplement to their commercial meal pellets. Tortoises in the rainforest that consume fruit, such as the red foot tortoise and the yellow foot tortoise, may only get a few fruits at once. Too much of a good thing may be bad, and the same is true with the paraphrase. However, grazing or Mediterranean tortoises should never be fed fruit. If given, do not allow them to take more than 10% of their daily calories in a month.
Food Value Of Watermelons
Calcium and phosphorus are two minerals that are vitally necessary for the health of your tortoise. Calcium plays a crucial role in the development of healthy bones and teeth. Heart rate, blood pressure, blood clotting, and nerve conduction are all improved. In addition, it helps with acid-base regulation, muscle development and contraction, zinc absorption, and the activation of numerous enzymes.
Your tortoise may suffer metabolic bone illnesses, brittle bones, and a distorted shell if it doesn’t get enough calcium. Calcium is especially important if your tortoise is pregnant or nesting. Reduced egg production has been linked to insufficient calcium intake.
Your tortoise also needs to get plenty of phosphorus in its diet. It facilitates metabolic processes like the oxidation of lipids, the hydrolysis of proteins, and the utilization of carbohydrates. It helps with kidney function, transmitting nerve signals, and passing on inherited characteristics. Not only is watermelon low in this mineral, but so are most of the meals they eat.
Vitamin D Pills
As a result, their diets will need to be supplemented with calcium. Calcium pills in powdered form, tortoise blocks, and cuttlefish bones are all good choices. Maintain a healthy calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in your tortoise’s diet. High phosphorus levels in the body induce a reduction in calcium absorption.
This occurs because calcium phosphates are formed when phosphorus binds to calcium. This stops the calcium from being absorbed.Their diet should feature a 2:1 calcium-to-phosphorus ratio. You may easily control this by feeding your tortoise a diet high in calcium and low in phosphate. Only papaya stands out as an exception to this rule. Without enough Vitamin D, your tortoise won’t be able to absorb calcium effectively. They need to spend some time in the sun. We recommend giving your tortoise vitamin D pills if you don’t have access to sunlight, such as during the winter.
Toxins In Watermelons
The high sugar content of watermelon is balanced by the various acids found inside the fruit. Excessive amounts of both can be harmful to your tortoise’s health. The digestive tract’s pH level may change as a result of this. If this happens, the microbiome of good bacteria in your tortoise’s digestive tract may begin to die out.
These microorganisms are essential to your tortoise’s well-being. They help break down food and get the most nutrients from grass. There is a significant discharge of poisons from the dead bacteria. These can penetrate the intestinal wall of your tortoise and make their way into the circulation. This will cause toxic shock syndrome, which might be fatal for your tortoise.
The Positive Effects Of Feeding Watermelon To Tortoises
Because of its high water content, watermelon is an excellent way to keep your tortoise hydrated. This is especially important to remember when dehydration is more likely to occur in warmer months. Your tortoise will like the sugars and minerals in watermelon. These are fine as long as they don’t makeup too much of your tortoise’s diet.
Risks Of Feeding Tortoises Watermelon
Because watermelon contains so much water, feeding it to your tortoise in large quantities can lead to diarrhea. Diarrhea is probably the biggest problem. It’s not harmful, but it’s still not fun for you or your tortoise. When fed in moderation, this problem disappears.
The Proper Diet for Tortoises Watermelon
Your tortoise should only eat about 10 percent of its diet in fruit, vegetables, and greens. Watching how much fresh food you feed your tortoise is important, as too much of a good thing can be bad for its health. We suggest rotating a weekly diet of fresh fruits and vegetables for your tortoise. Before giving watermelon to your tortoise, make sure you thoroughly clean it. Cut it up so that it may fit in their mouths easily. Mixing watermelon with other fruits and vegetables in their bowl is a smart idea. Papaya, bananas, apples, pineapples, and mango are excellent fruit pairing alternatives.
Leave these fruits in the food bowl for 24 hours to enable your tortoise time to pick at them. We advise removing perishables from the fridge after this time has passed to prevent spoilage. When feeding watermelon to your tortoise, you can leave the peel on. They don’t have to eat it, but they certainly may because it’s safe. This is why you need to clean your watermelon before you slice it.
Your tortoise may benefit from eating the rough rind of a watermelon. It will give them something to chew on, which is good for their oral and overall health. In addition to keeping their beak from getting too long and unwieldy, this activity can help wear down their visor a little.
Conclusion
Tortoises, including hatchlings, can get the lipids, proteins, and vitamins they need from watermelons. However, they need calcium supplements because their phosphorus-to-calcium ratio is backward. That’s the only other issue besides high sugar levels that needs fixing. Watermelon rind and pulp are both safe for tortoises to eat.Due to their size, seeds cannot be fed, but accidental ingestion will not cause any harm. But other than that, the watermelon treat will be a huge hit with your tortoises, who will likely beg for more.
